TOKYO - The architects behind a scrapped plan for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic stadium blamed the bidding process and rocketing building costs for the spiraling price tag, striking back at claims that it was because of the design.

TOKYO - A Chinese envoy on Thursday warned Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe not to shirk responsibility for Japan's wartime aggression in his statement marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the hostilities.

BEIJING - China's top diplomat met Thursday with the head of Japan's National Security Council for talks expected to touch on a possible summit between the leaders of the countries later this year in Beijing.